by L. M. Roth
Maelys was clearly going to be the beauty of the family. She possessed her mother’s copper curls and clear blue eyes, but her straight nose and finely molded cheekbones bore the stamp of Trekur Lende, and she was tall as the women of Trekur Lende were. Her height lent stateliness to her stature, and to Marcus she appeared as a marble figure of a goddess come to life. That she was as intelligent as she was beautiful was evident as well. She chose her words carefully in conversation, and she kept her eyes open. And her mouth shut.
Nolwenn seemed of a gentle spirit and possessed a timid manner. She stole shy glances at Marcus, but never engaged him in conversation. When he asked her questions in an attempt to break the ice, she giggled self-consciously and blushed. He would have thought she might be intimidated by his patrician manner and fine clothes, but he noted that she was quiet in general, and not given to saying much. Although not the beauty her older sister was, her dark mane of hair that cascaded down her back and her delicate features highlighted by wide brown eyes were undoubtedly pretty and would bring her suitors in the years ahead.
He observed one exception to her rule of timidity, however, and that was in Nolwenn’s interaction with one of the strange young women he saw on his arrival. He discovered that she was the widow of Brenus, which roused his compassion. How hard for a young wife to lose her husband of only a few months!
His initial compassion for her would soon vanish after a frank and private conversation with Cort; one evening shortly after the period of mourning was completed.
He had decided to take a walk after the evening meal and enjoy the mild balmy air, and to breathe the aroma of the nearby woods. As he strolled he listened to the sound of the owls in the trees, and heard the croaking of a frog in a pond just outside of the village. He felt peace flood his spirit, and reveled in the signs of life, the renewal of the seasons. He realized how tired he was of living always in the city, where the rush of chariot wheels and the hawking of merchants selling their wares were the first sounds of the start of another day.
He saw a shadow emerge from the Adalbart hut that headed for his direction. Thinking it was Dag, he slowed his steps and waited for his old friend to catch up with him.
It was Cort.
Cort hurried his steps to overtake Marcus and their steps fell into an easy rhythm as they walked together. Cort inhaled appreciatively of the fine spring air, and turned to Marcus with a smile.
“I am so happy to see you again, Marcus,” he glowed with the smile that Marcus had never forgotten, like a stray sunbeam that had fallen to earth and gladdened the hearts of all who beheld it.
“It has been a hard time of late, especially with the death of my brother,” Cort continued in a mournful voice, so painful for Marcus to hear.
Marcus remembered how close Cort and Brenus had been; best friends who became brothers after the union of Dag and Judoc.
“Tell me about it, Cort,” Marcus encouraged in a voice as soothing as a mother’s lullaby. “I am grieved by it also, and much of it does not make sense to me.”
“Nor to any of us!” Cort exclaimed. “It is a mystery, and there seems to be no answer. My father says that Laig claims it is the Tuadan. I find that difficult to believe, yet no explanation is at hand to prove otherwise.”
Marcus wrinkled his brow thoughtfully, and tried to frame his next words tactfully. He did not want to alarm his young friend, but how he wanted to solve the mystery of what was amiss in Eirinia!
“Laig also claimed that Brenus died because he left the path of safety: that he would have been safe if he stayed on the path, as the Eirini are warned to do. Do you believe that also, Cort?”
Marcus now openly stared at Cort with a perplexed frown on his face. He felt sure that Cort might know more about his brother’s life than his father or mother did.
Cort nodded his head slowly. He glanced around him at the advancing twilight in the manner of one searching for clues to a mystifying puzzle. He looked behind him at the woods that encroached on the village, now casting tall shadows in the dusk, ahead of him to the green meadow that shone silver in the moonlight, and to the man who walked beside him.
“I do,” Cort said at last, so firmly that Marcus was surprised. “But not in the way that the Eirini believe it.”
“What do you mean?” Marcus asked. He noted that Cort called the villagers the Eirini, as though making a distinction between them and him.
“I believe that Brenus did stray from the path of safety: only it’s not the path that the villagers refer to. Brenus did a very foolish thing last autumn, and I believe it is partly responsible for his death.”
He paused a moment and looked carefully at Marcus for his response. Marcus nodded his head, certain now that Cort was on the right track.
“Go on,” he urged. “Explain what you mean.”
“Brenus met a strange young woman right in those very woods, not far from the spot where we found his body. It happened last autumn, when he was hunting. He continued to meet her there secretly, and before any of us even knew of her existence, had pledged to marry her. I did not meet her until the wedding night, and at once felt that all was not as it should be with this woman.
“She did not tell Brenus her history, anything of her family, or even where her homeland is. She clearly does not serve Dominio, but duped him into believing she did. Or he simply chose to believe it is more likely.
“I do not need to tell you of all people, Marcus, the consequences of marrying someone who is not an Alexandrian. And his wife is not. Does one not step outside the protection of Dominio when they disobey so blatantly to follow their own desires? Does that not give the Astra the opportunity to make war against us?
“It is true that Brenus strayed from the path as a child, and he clearly did so again when he married Melisande to follow his own desires. In doing so, he left the path of righteousness that all Alexandrians are sworn to follow, and revealed that his heart did not fully belong to Dominio.
“And there is more, Marcus: when the villagers thanked Eoghan at Spring Festival, Brenus stood with Melisande and the others. He did not stand with our father and the rest of our family. He and Nolwenn joined the others. What consequences she will suffer I do not know; yet, she is still but a child and does not fully understand what she did, so Dominio may grant her mercy. But Brenus knew full well what he did when he stood with his wife and the villagers who rebelled against Dominio.
“And in my opinion, that is the true cause of Brenus’ death. He had no protection from the Tuadan, or the Astra as we know them to truly be, when he left the path in the woods, because he had disobeyed the command of Dominio and forsook the path of righteousness when he married Melisande. And he stood in rebellion with her against Him, and went further down the path of darkness.
“And I will tell you this, Marcus: Melisande is a woman who is altogether evil.”
Chapter XV
The Secret of Melisande
Marcus stared at Cort, not certain how much of what he said was accurate, and how much his own imagination regarding his sister-in-law. Marcus had studied her when she was unaware of it, and found nothing to alarm him, but it was true that there was much that puzzled him…
Melisande did not join in the family prayers. She listened with bowed head, but did not chime in nor agree with the words spoken. Of course, it could have simply been due to grief, and feeling out of sorts, even angry over the loss of a loved one. But the behavior of Maelys toward her sister-in-law mystified him as well.
He had noticed Dag’s eldest daughter watching Melisande from the corner of her eye, especially when Cort or his wife happened to come near the young widow. And invariably, the mouth of Maelys would tighten for a reason that Marcus could not fathom.
He brought his attention back to Cort, who was waiting with obvious impatience. Marcus realized that he was now a man, and no longer the small boy who had amused everyone on their Quest of so many years ago. In truth, Cort was only eight years younger than himself, and e
ven as a child had been remarkably perceptive about the characters of others. Clearly he must have his reasons for stating his opinion of his sister-in-law. Marcus gave him his full attention.
“Proceed,” he encouraged him, with the faintly military air that never failed to amuse his wife.
In his heart, Marcus at times still desired the life of a soldier. But then, had he not lived as one in regards to his service to Dominio and spreading His Kingdom?
Cort heard the note of command in the voice of his old friend and he hastened to obey it just as a young soldier would obey his superior officer.
“Melisande is not even the stranger that she deceived Brenus into believing she is. He thought her merely an orphan with no family, and fell for every one of her lies to the contrary. But she is no orphan, Marcus; nor did she travel to Eirinia by any innocent design.”
Cort paused and rubbed his hands over his eyes, then dropped a hand to the back of his neck and rubbed it also. He suddenly had the appearance of a man who was incredibly weary by a heavy load borne for a long time.
“I was always struck by a sense of familiarity with Melisande,” Cort murmured. “Yet I could not recall having met her anywhere; and she denied it emphatically. It was not until I left Eirinia for a while that I realized who she was. And why she came here.”
And Cort tightened his lips and nodded his head, staring at something that only he could see. Marcus did not comment, but waited for him to collect his thoughts and go on.
Cort hesitated for a moment and cast a glance at Marcus. He seemed unsure whether to continue with whatever narrative he had begun. He opened his lips, and then closed them again. After what appeared to be an internal counsel with himself, he proceeded.
“There is something I must tell you, Marcus: something that pains me deeply. It has been yet another source of animosity between Melisande and me, and it grew unbearable last autumn, not long after she and Brenus were wed.
“I had become aware of her studying me at times when she thought I did not see; but the true motive behind it was far more serious. To my amazement, she followed me into the woods one evening and there she threw herself at me. She asked if I loved her, and said that Brenus had suggested that possibility. I did not believe my brother ever said such a thing. But she confessed that she loved me, and said she knew as soon as she met me that she had made a terrible mistake in marrying Brenus.
“She came to me and kissed me. I was so stunned I did not pull away, as I simply could not move, so shocked was I at her behavior. Unfortunately, Brenus had followed Melisande and, although he did not hear her words to me, he saw what he thought was me kissing his wife.
“We fought, right here in these woods. Melisande pretended to be greatly upset, yet I do not believe that; not for a moment! Brenus threatened to kill me, and I left the village. Indeed, I left Eirinia altogether and let Dominio lead me to wherever He wanted to take me.
“My path took me to Trekur Lende, where I was reunited with my mother and Siv, who had waited for me all these years. Can you imagine, Marcus? She waited and prayed for my return! She did not wed another, but waited for me. Such love is too much for me to fathom!”
Here Cort sighed in rapture, and Marcus felt his eyes mist with unexpected tears. He remembered how painful the young man’s last visit to Trekur Lende had been; his father selling him to the highest bidder and the exile with Dag from their tribe. And now he had a wife, and was restored to his mother. How good Dominio was! And surely his reception in his homeland on this visit must have been healing after the rift with his brother, who had been his best friend.
Cort looked at Marcus and smiled happily; then a frown crossed his face like a cloud blotting out the sun, and he continued his story.
“We took the southern route through Trekur Lende, because I had first stopped in Valerium to see you, only to hear about the persecution and dispersal of the Alexandrians there. I did not wish us to return that way, so we traveled through Gaudereaux to hail the next ship back to Eirinia. And while I was in that land that we knew so long ago, I understood why Melisande seemed so familiar to me. I heard the voices of the people again, for the first time in many years, and I knew where I had heard one like hers before. But where Melisande’s is low and husky like an oboe, the other’s was high and clear like a flute, but the accent was the same.”
Cort stared at Marcus, and comprehension flooded Marcus. It could not be, yet no other explanation presented itself to him.
“Fanchon?” he whispered, careful lest Dag may have followed them to join their company.
Cort nodded. Marcus erupted in an explosive sigh, before quickly stifling it.
“But why, but how…” he began before his words sputtered out.
“I confronted her with her secret when I returned home,” Cort said softly. “She did not deny it, but claimed she came here innocently.”
Marcus interrupted him, outraged at such a denial. Did the girl think Cort was a fool to believe she arrived in Eirinia by coincidence?
“Does she think the Eirini are simpletons that you would believe such a lie?” he asked, as his face reddened with suppressed anger.
“Yes,” Cort answered curtly as he nodded his head. “She does. She told me that Fanchon died when she was a child of only three years old, and she did not know what happened until she was thirteen; at that time she asked Gaelle, who told her the whole story of her mother’s betrothal to Dag.
“Gaelle told Melisande that Fanchon had fallen prey to strange moods, and was at times sunk deep into melancholy. When Gaelle asked her why, Fanchon told her it was because of her broken promise to Dominio and the fear that she would never be forgiven. And she never forgot Dag. Melisande said she never met another like him. She had married the man who was chosen for her, but was not happy.
“I asked Melisande why she came to Eirinia: she said she wanted a change of scene after her father died, and had heard of Eirinia as a land of mystery and decided to visit it. If anyone else had made such a claim, I might believe them. But there is more to her intentions, and I do not believe she came here innocently.
“For one thing, Marcus, she hates Dag, and admitted that. She can not look at him without revealing murder in her heart. Do you remember what Xenon taught us about anger; if you have anger toward another, you have already murdered them in your heart. Alexandros said that. That is one thing. She also said she hates Dominio for taking Dag away from her mother. That is another thing.
“The third thing is something she slipped and revealed but that I did not follow up on. When I confronted her, she said that she thought Brenus was the boy that Dag adopted because he is dark like Dag, while I am fair.”
Cort stopped for a moment, and glanced around him. All was quiet: the villagers had retired to bed for the night, the woods were quiet, only the spring peepers continued their chirping. As if to satisfy himself that none could hear, Cort nodded his head but moved closer to Marcus.
“I did not meet Melisande until the night she and Brenus were wed. I did not speak to her until after the ceremony. When Brenus introduced me, she noticed my accent was different from Brenus and my siblings, indeed, from the rest of the villagers.
“I told her that I hailed from Trekur Lende and she seemed astonished. When I told her that I came with Dag as a small boy, and that he had adopted me, she turned so white that I thought she would collapse. Then she looked from me to Brenus and back again, and murmured to herself, but Brenus and I both heard it and looked at one another, not understanding her meaning.
“She said, ‘Oh, what I have done?’ It was just then that Judoc came to take her to the maidens who waited for her to throw the bridal favor.”
Cort drew back from Marcus’ side and searched his face intently. Marcus stared back at the young man with a growing sense of alarm in his heart.
“I have often pondered on her words,” Cort whispered. “And there has been a fear growing on me that she came to Eirinia with some evil purpose in mind. And I fear
she intended to marry me, but wed Brenus by mistake.”
He nodded his head firmly and his eyes were a hard and steely blue as he looked at Marcus.
“But what that intention was, I do not know. I only know that I must find out, and before it is too late to stop her in her wicked plan.”
Chapter XVI
The Plot
Marcus stared hard at Cort, unable to fully comprehend what had just been revealed to him. Who would have ever thought that flighty little Fanchon would have succumbed to a regret so deep that she took her own life? And why would her daughter want to take revenge on Dag for something that was not his fault?
“Are you certain about all of this, Cort?” he asked, his voice reflecting the uncertainty of his eyes. “I simply find it incredible that someone should take revenge on a man for something that he was not to blame for. And how do you and Brenus factor into Melisande’s plan?”
Cort sighed; he had known that his story would be difficult for some to believe. But not Marcus!
“I am not certain what Melisande is plotting, but I do know she thought Brenus was the boy adopted by Dag, and on their wedding night she was distraught when she discovered it. If I knew what her plan is, I would know how to stop her.”
“Does Dag know about this? You did not say that you told him,” Marcus questioned, his eyes never leaving Cort’s face.
“No; I felt that to tell him would only bring back memories of Fanchon that are best forgotten. And he knows that Brenus and I quarreled over her, and that I left home for a while due to that quarrel. He knows nothing more than that.”